Phoenix Palace, Dromore Road, Banbridge. Pic by Google

A 54-year-old man was arrested at The Money Tree, a 33-year-old woman and two men, aged 26 and 40, were arrested at Donaghmore Chinese Cuisine and a 34-year-old man was arrested at Phoenix Palace.

All had entered the UK illegally and are currently in detention while steps are taken to remove them from the UK.

A 38-year-old at Donaghmore Chinese Cuisine and a 48-year-old man at Phoenix Place, who both have outstanding immigration applications which do not entitle them to work, must now report regularly to Immigration Enforcement while their cases are progressed.

The businesses were each served a referral notice in relation to the illegal workers. The notice warns that a financial penalty of up to £20,000 per illegal worker arrested will be imposed unless the employers can demonstrate that appropriate right-to-work document checks were carried out, such as seeing a passport or Home Office document confirming permission to work. If proof is not provided, this is a potential total of up to £20,000 for The Money Tree, £80,000 for Donaghmore Chinese Cuisine and £40,000 for Phoenix Palace.